According to a probable cause affidavit in the case, prior to submitting the marriage license, Reece-McNair filed a power of attorney document for Derek McNair that was dated Oct. 25, 2012. Again, the paperwork was notarized by Bush.

State records show Bush did not become a notary public until February of 2013.

The power of attorney was given to the hospital where Derek McNair was being treated and to his bank. The court documents claim Reese-McNair wrote a number of checks to herself and others from McNair's bank account.

She also moved into McNair's West End home on Dellwood and filed a Quitclaim Deed on the home, which also included McNair's forged signature. That deed was also notarized by Bush. With that paperwork, Reese-McNair took ownership of McNair's home.

Kevin Laine, Reese-McNair's attorney, said his client is steadfast that she did not exploit her husband.

The couple met in 2008 and at McNair's request, Reese-McNair moved from California to be with him in 2009, according to Laine.

Laine said the couple lived as common-law husband and wife and that McNair represented to his co-workers at Beaumont's Army Reserve office that Reese-McNair was his wife.

McNair, who suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and bad kidneys, slipped into a coma in 2012.

Laine said Reese-McNair had to create the marriage license and power of attorney in order to transfer money from McNair's assets in order for him to be eligible for Medicaid.

Laine said it was Reese-McNair's position that her husband would have consented to her actions had he been of sound mind.

McNair died in July 2013. He was 55.

Reese-McNair will get credit for the 10 months of time she served in the Jefferson County jail while awaiting trial.

She must serve a year and a half before she's eligible for parole, Laine said.

According to court records from DeKalb County, Ga., Reese-McNair pleaded guilty in March 2008 to identity fraud and was ordered to pay more than $21,000 in restitution in a case from 2004. She was also sentenced to 10 years probation.

A criminal case against Jamaal Bush, Reese-McNair's son, is pending.

The ownership of McNair's Dellwood home will be litigated in probate court.